Just Missed the Cut

25. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

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Record: 21-10, 13-5 Big East

Week: 1-1

Previous Ranking: 22

Voting Points: 36

Despite finishing third in the Big East, Notre Dame came in at No. 25. The Fighting Irish stumbled down the stretch, losing to St. John's and Georgetown. They did salvage the season's final week by beating Providence, though.

24. Saint Mary's Gaels

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Record: 26-5, 14-2 WCC

Week: 1-0

Previous Ranking: 23

Voting Points: 40

As the WCC's No. 1 seed, Saint Mary's earned a bye to the conference semifinals, where they staved off San Francisco's upset bid. The Gaels will battle rival Gonzaga on Monday night for the league's automatic bid.

23. Temple Owls

Temple survived a scare against UMass before dominating Fordham on the road. The Owls have now won 13 their last 14 games.

Temple peaked at No. 15 but didn't appear on two ballots.

Voter Opinion: "I used to love Temple, but they are struggling lately. Almost blew it against La Salle because of a stupid technical, St. Joe's beat them, and then they beat a UMass team that outplayed them solely because they shot 40 free throws. You only win by two points, after shooting 40 free throws? That's not good. Very overrated, lucky team." — Joshua Gleason

22. Louisville Cardinals

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Record: 22-9, 10-8 Big East

Week: 0-2

Previous Ranking: 20

Voting Points: 43

After losing to South Florida and Syracuse, Louisville barely edged Temple for the No. 22 spot. The Cardinals couldn't beat the Bulls at home on senior night, setting them up for a tough finish to the season at Syracuse.

Three voters didn't rank Louisville, which came in as high as No. 20.

Voter Opinion: "The Cardinals' inconsistency is very concerning going into the NCAA Tournament. This team is very talented, but you really never know what to expect when they step on the court." — Robert Pace

17. Florida Gators

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Record: 22-9, 10-6 SEC

Week: 0-2

Previous Ranking: 14

Voting Points: 99

Florida ended the regular season on a three-game skid, unacceptably losing to Georgia but also falling to Vanderbilt and Kentucky. Backing into the postseason is never good, so the Gators desperately need to win a couple of games in the SEC tournament.

Florida came in as high as No. 14 and as low as No. 23.

Voter Opinion: "I picked UF low because they are just so inconsistent. They live and die by the three pointer and in the tournament, it's one and done and they just don't have a complete enough team." — David Mayer

16. Wichita State Shockers

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Record: 27-5, 16-2 MVC

Week: 1-1

Previous Ranking: 13

Voting Points: 110

Wichita State deprived us of a MVC championship against Creighton, bowing out to a pesky Illinois State squad in the conference semifinals. Though they didn't get the MVC's automatic bid, the Shockers will be called on Selection Sunday.

15. Indiana Hoosiers

Indiana used a big week to jump three spots in the rankings. First, the Hoosiers beat Michigan State by 15 points. Then, they disposed of Purdue.

Though they couldn't earn a share of the regular season crown, winning seven of eight is the way Tom Crean wanted to enter the conference tournament.

Voters ranked Indiana as high as No. 11 and as low as No. 19.

Voter Opinion: "After a strong start to the season, the Hoosiers have been overshadowed in the Big Ten as they have settled into mediocrity. However, with a strong four-game win steak to close out conference play that included a win against Michigan State, the Hoosiers have upped their appeal as a competitive tournament team." — Robert Pace

13. Baylor Bears

Baylor dominated Texas Tech but struggled with Iowa State, losing to the Cyclones 80-72. The Bears will play Kansas State in the Big 12's first round—expect another tight game.

Baylor peaked at No. 8 but also came in as low as No. 17.

Voter Opinion: "When looking at this team, keep in mind that four of their five losses have come to No. 3 Kansas and No. 7 Missouri, and those teams can beat some of the best in the country." — Josh Schoch

12. Michigan Wolverines

Earning a share of the Big Ten regular season championship, Michigan has won six of its last seven contests. The Wolverines defeated Illinois and Penn State last week to close out the regular season.

Voters ranked Michigan between No. 9 and No. 15.

Voter Opinion: "Michigan is coming off two road wins, which is hard enough in the Big Ten, beating Illinois and Penn State this week. Evan Smotrycz is heating up, a key player that Coach Belien desperately needs. Most bracketologists are seeding UM at a 2/3, but they deserve to be at No. 11 for now." — Teddy Bailey

10. Murray State Racers

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Record: 30-1, 15-1 OVC

Week: 2-0

Previous Ranking: 12

Voting Points: 193

As the OVC's regular season champion, Murray State received a bye to the conference semifinals. The Racers took care of business, beating Tennessee Tech and then Tennessee State for the conference's automatic bid.

Murray State came in as high as No. 7 and as low as No. 14.

Voter Opinion: "Say what you like about the competition they're playing, but Murray State keeps winning." — Thad Novak

8. Michigan State Spartans

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Record: 24-7, 13-5 Big Ten

Week: 0-2

Previous Ranking: 5

Voting Points: 214

Not only did Michigan State falter down the stretch—losing their last two regular season contests—but the Spartans also lost Branden Dawson to a torn ACL. Dawsen ranked third on the Spartans in scoring and second in rebounding.

7. Ohio State Buckeyes

Ohio State fought off Northwestern before staging a comeback to topple Michigan State. The Buckeyes, who had lost three of five, have now won back-to-back games, entering the conference tournament.

Voters ranked Ohio State between No. 5 and No. 9.

Voter Opinion: "We always knew Jared Sullinger would be the anchor for Ohio State, but with William Buford hitting his stride, the Buckeyes have a dangerous inside-outside combination. Buford is the X-factor for this team, and seeing him clinch a win against Michigan State is a great sign for Thad Matta and company." — Josh Schoch

6. Duke Blue Devils

As expected, Duke defeated Wake Forest. However, the Blue Devils were embarrassed by UNC at Cameron, falling by 18 to the Tar Heels.

As a result, Duke finished in second place.

Duke ranked as high as No. 5 and as low as No. 9.

Voter Opinion: "As North Carolina showed us this week, [Duke is] incredibly vulnerable to a good frontcourt. If the Blue Devils run into a talented big man in the tournament, they might as well pack their bags early." — Josh Schoch

2. Syracuse Orange

In its only game last week, Syracuse defeated Louisville at the Carrier Dome. The Orange, who have won 10 straight, are on a roll entering the Big East tournament.

Syracuse received one first place vote but appeared at No. 2 on every other ballot.

Voter Opinion: "I picked Syracuse as the No. 1 team not because they are my favorite team, but because they have depth that is unmatched. Although they don't have the best shooting team in the country, once they get into a tournament setting their zone defense and crazy depth will be enough to take them to the National Championship." — David Mayer

1. Kentucky Wildcats

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Record: 30-1, 16-0 SEC

Week: 2-0

Previous Ranking: 1

Voting Points: 299

Kentucky's torrid streak continued, as the Wildcats defeated Georgia and Florida by an average of 22.5 points. Sunday's tilt against the Gators was close with as few as nine minutes left, but the Wildcats dominated the stretch run to win 74-59.

As a result of their 22-game winning streak, the Wildcats received all but one first place vote.

Voter Opinion: "We're still splitting hairs between Kentucky and Syracuse, but I give the edge to Kentucky because they are one jump shot away from undefeated. Syracuse is one Fab Melo suspension away from an undefeated record. Both are incredible teams." — Matt Overing